Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920), French origin jeweler in Russia was known by his valuable Easter eggs made for the family of the tsar. The first one was made in 1885 and the last one in 1917. We are apprised about 71 eggs, but only 62 of them are known, the others probably are in hands of private collectors or were destroyed in the storms of history.
The collection started with a white enameled golden egg which hid a miniature hen and it hid a much smaller crown. The czarina – who got it from her husband – was so much pleased, that thereafter the tsar ordered one for every Easter. After his death, his son, Alexander II. continued the tradition. He presented a new piece not only for his wife but for his mother also.
The material of the eggs is gold in common, their surfaces are decorated with precious stones, pearls and enameling. They can be opened up or apart, inside they hide a surprise: mini chaise, dancing ballerina, miniature of the palace, portrait, music box etc.
The jeweler made similar eggs not only for the tsar’s family but for other wealthy customers also, for example for the Rothschilds and the Nobels. All of them are high-quality masterworks, unfortunately the secret of production went into the grave by Fabergé. Nobody could copy them since then.